The Bible says in Ecclesiastes 1:9-10 that nothing is new. Can we say that there were computers, cars, etc. in the past?

Before we look at those verses, it’s important to see what Solomon wrote at the very beginning of his book. In verse 2 he says, “Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, Vanity of vanities! All is vanity” (NASB). The word vanity means “empty” and in this little book we see Solomon on a desperate search to find something in this world to fill his “empty heart.” Before going over all the things he tried to fill the void in his heart, he states his conclusion right at the beginning. In essence he is saying, “My heart is still empty because everything this world has to offer is empty!”

Now we will read verses 8-10: “All things are wearisome; Man is not able to tell it. The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor is the ear filled with hearing. That which has been is that which will be, and that which has been done is that which will be done. So, there is nothing new under the sun. Is there anything of which one might say, ‘See this, it is new’? Already it has existed for ages which were before us.” Again, Solomon had experienced everything there is to experience “under the sun” and yet no matter what “he saw” or what “he heard,” nothing brought him lasting satisfaction. Perhaps there was temporary enjoyment, but in time he was left just as empty as he was before. He finally realized that this was what everyone experiences, for history repeats itself and thus, “there is nothing new under the sun.” All men crave something that will bring them purpose and fulfillment, yet this world has nothing new to offer them that can fill the heart with lasting joy.

This is NOT to say that men don’t “invent new things,” such as computers, cars, televisions, smart phones, miracle drugs, pacemakers, airplanes, spaceships, etc. This passage is not addressing that subject. What it is teaching us is that every “new experience” we have (whether it involves a “new gadget,” or a “new drug” our countless other “new things”), will prove to be the same, THEY WON’T SATISFY THE HUMAN HEART!

We may very well ask, “Is there nothing new that will bring us joy, fulfillment, and purpose?” I’m happy to say there is! But it won’t be found “under the sun,” but rather “above the sun.” Jesus once told a woman, “Everyone who drinks of this water shall thirst again; but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life” (John 4:13-14). The “water at the well” represents everything we try “under the sun,” which satisfies for a time but our thirst is never quenched. The “well of water” Jesus offers is the NEW LIFE (i.e. eternal life) that Jesus gives to the sinner who believes in Him as their personal Lord and Savior. The source of this life is Christ Himself, who is now seated at the right hand of God in heaven, and thus the new life He offers us is “above the sun.” Psalm 16:11 declares, “In Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (NKJV). The moment you trust in Jesus Christ as your Savior you will have found that which satisfies the heart and every time you look to Him you will experience “fullness of joy” and “pleasures forevermore.” If you have never trust Him as your Savior, I would plead with you to “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31). If you are already saved, may you fix your eyes on your Savior in the glory and experience the joy that He alone can give. Colossians 3:1 states, “Seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.” (258.1) (DO)